Introduction
Indian food is perhaps best known for spicy, saucy curries and for flavorful meats and breads from the tandoor oven. Of course, a country as large as India has a wide variety of regional cuisines. In the cold, mountainous region in the north, meat dishes including heavy sauces and ghee are common. In the tropical south, the hot weather means thinner sauces are preferred. There, ingredients like coconut, ginger, tamarind, and curry leaves are typical, and vegetarian and fish dishes are eaten more frequently than meat.1
Typical Ingredients
Rice (especially Basmati rice), wheat, lentils, chickpeas, onion, potatoes, spinach, yogurt, and raisins are all typical of Indian cuisine. Non-vegetarians may eat goat, lamb, chicken, fish, and other seafood. Because cows are sacred in the Hindu religion, beef is not typically eaten.
Spices are the keystone of Indian cuisine. Allspice, cardamom, cilantro, cloves, coriander seed, garlic, ginger, mustard seeds, and turmeric are all used, among
others. As mentioned, clarified butter known as ghee is a popular cooking fat in the north, while vegetable oils, peanut oil, and coconut oil are used in other regions.
Many people immediately think of curry powder when they think of Indian food, but curry powder is actually a combination of typical Indian spices thought to be first mixed together by Brits returning home from India who hoped to recreate the flavor of Indian food.2
The truest Indian spice mix is called garam masala, which consists of cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper in varying proportions depending on the cook's preferences.
Traditional Indian Recipes
Typical Indian dishes are often
sauces/curries made with spices, vegetables, and sometimes meat, which are served with rice or flat bread. Tandoori dishes, on the other hand, involve potatoes, vegetables, and/or marinated meats (often marinated in yogurt and spices) cooked in a special clay oven called a tandoor. For dessert, fresh fruit, puddings, and ice cream are popular.3
Appetizer:
Samosas
Main Course:
Tandoori Chicken
Main Course:
Chicken Tikka Masala
Main course:
Palak paneer
Main course:
Dal kofta
Side Dish:
Basmati rice
Side Dish:
Naan
Condiment:
Chutney
Condiment:
Cucumber Raita
Beverage:
Mango Lassi
Dessert:
Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Recommended Read
Madhur Jaffrey's Quick & Easy Indian Cooking
This cookbook will help you prepare flavorful and authentic Indian recipes in 30 minutes or less. Faster than delivery, you can make these easy meals at home.
